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The Citizen, 1993-06-02, Page 4ditorial Whooshin' on a cloud The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Ustowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A. and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copywright. Publisher, Keith Rouiston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Publications Mall Registration No. 6968 Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The North Huron itizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 Serving Blyth, Brussels, Auburn, Beigrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and the surrounding townships. PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993. Pulling together There are lots of reasons people in a community can find for not getting together, from lack of time to petty animosities, but every now and then an event comes along that builds new bonds within a community. The Blyth and District Community Play is one of those events. It's well over a decade since the closing of area arenas brought a new sense of purpose to many small communities like Brussels and Blyth. Working together to plan the new buildings and raise money helped knit a new fabric in the community. The sense of accomplishment at getting new buildings up helped energize the communities for the next few years. But that kind of energy eventually winds down and needs to be rekindled. The Blyth Community Play came along at an important time. With the lingering recession and the dreadful weather of the past year, the spirits of many people are at an all-time low. So the hundreds of people who are involved in putting on the community play have a lot of spirit-building to do. Experience from other places where community plays have been done, however, from Eramosa to Saskatchewan, indicates that by the time the play comes to an end a couple of weeks from now, new bonds will have been formed that will last a long time. In some communities the renewed energy has led to more political involvement and a drive to better the community. At the very least, people of the community get to enjoy a play that will help them learn more about their community. Hopefully the whole community, not just the cast and crew members, will get behind the project. There's so much to gain by everyone taking part. —KR Have we given up? After the anger and soul searching that went into the discussion on the Canada/U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) five years ago, the quiet surrounding the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by the House of Commons last week was disturbing. If Canadians had changed their minds and embraced free trade, the acquiescence to the government's invoking closure to cut off debate on NAFTA, the silence would not be so ominous. Polls show, however, that Canadians are not suddenly in love with NAFTA. They're more opposed to the FTA than ever. Could it be that people are so beaten down by the strains of the recession that they haven't the energy to fight any more? Trade Minister Michael Wilson's boast that NAFTA is the key to bringing more jobs to get us out of the recession sounds hollow, given the reality of the years following the FTA. Supporters of the pact can point to figures that show trade has increased in dollar value since 1988 but the reality is more people are out of work than at any time in recent history. ETA supporters will say things would be worse without the agreement but since our recession has been longer and deeper than the recession in the U.S., it is a weak argument. NAFTA seems certain to bring even more short term pain, even if it eventually brings long-term gain. Given all that, those Canadians who oppose the agreement should have been up in arms at the way the government pushed the legislation through, even as the U.S. seems to be reconsidering its support for the agreement. The fact that hardly anyone seemed to notice, let alone protest, may be an indication that Canadians are a long way away from having the confidence and energy to fight their way out of the gloom and doom in the country. KR Cut out the head hunting The media's coverage of Kim Campbell's comments in a Vancouver magazine article smell more of head-hunting than of informing the electorate. The remarks, taken out of context as they were, paint an unfair picture of the beliefs of the woman who is likely to be the Canadian prime minister in a couple of weeks. After the halo the media painted on Ms Campbell earlier in her campaign for the Progressive Conservative party leadership, a closer examination of her policies was called for. The sensational coverage, however, didn't really tell us more about Ms Campbell other than that she needs to think about how her words can be misconstrued before she says anything. The media fails when it plays this game of "gottcha" and revels in slips by politicians rather than informing the public about policies. We deserve better than we're getting from the media. — KR Huronlea spending upsets reader THE EDITOR, I am absolutely infuriated with regards to the spending at the Huronview/Huronlea Homes. As a neighbour I watched the beautiful home progress. I kept telling myself it's a great asset to Morris Township but as the finish- ing touches continue and continue and continue I'm thoroughly embarrassed. Does the county not realize the provincial debt per person is $24,000 and climbing? As tax- payers we are to be trying to reduce this amount. The days of govern- ment's ability to pay are over and I thought perhaps Huron was aware of this. As home town people at tax time, who will care if we had 10 trees or 200 at Huronview/Huronlea and who cares if the kitchen pots are all new or a little used or if the top line furniture was absolutely necessary? The care of the residents is not affected by any of these issues! Letters To all government paid and subsidized people — the private sector is waiting and not so patiently for you to accept the responsibility given to you — balance the budget! Lessons are freely available from any private business or citizen living within his means. They will quickly shOw you how to cope with the reality period we are now in. The average taxpayer does not ride first class ALL the time. We live in the best county and province in the world — please start using restraint and see the reality of our world. I want Huron County protected and preserved for my children so please use the financial resources a little more thoughtfully. Betty Graber. THE EDITOR, On behalf of everyone at the Festival, may I publicly convey our most sincere thanks to the Carry- On Cloggers for their generous donation to the Festival's summer season. Their spirited programme in Memorial Hall was a wonderful celebration of community commit- ment and enthusiasm and was thoroughly enjoyed by the capacity audiences. The concert also solved the great mystery that accompanied any Wednesday evening meeting in the theatre offices this past winter as we listened to many happy feet clogging along to the beat of their music. It sounded like people THE EDITOR, The recent deaths of young people on the roads of Huron County and in Caledon grimly underlined the need for changes in the licensing of new drivers. The concept of restricting a new driver to where and when he or she may drive has been proven in other jurisdictions. New Zealand, Australia and some American states have shown that it can reduce collisions and serious injuries. Driving instructors and the insurance industry have lobbied for years for the graduated license. Until now a new driver on passing the written and practical exam was able to drive anywhere. Now the licensing will be done over a 20 month period and it will be like an apprenticeship. When the driver has gained experience the restrictions will be lifted. On completing the written test the novice driver normally will be in Level One for 12 months. This time period is reduced to eight months when the driver has successfully completed an approved driver education course. The restrictions are: maintain a Continued on page 5 Photo by Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot enjoying a good time together and the concert proved it. Let us continue to celebrate the spirit and joy of the many wonderful events that bring the people of this area together. Lynda Lentz Blyth Festival.